The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to retain restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren this offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are both set to become free agents this offseason. But the team is expected to bring back at least one of them, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"Warren is a restricted free agent, which means the Steelers are likely to tender him a right-of-first-refusal offer that will cost them only $3.18 million in 2025," Dulac said .
Restricted free agency means teams can still negotiate with players. However, the team that tendered the player has the right of first refusal to match the offer sheet. If they don't, they can receive a draft pick in return equivalent to the tender.
The Steelers have a few choices, but will likely pick between using a second-round tender and original-round tender on Warren.
The second-round tender costs about $5 million, but any team that signs Warren must surrender a second-round pick. The original-round tender costs about $2 million less, but there is no draft compensation since Warren was an undrafted free agent.
Either way, it is smart of the Steelers to bring back Warren, who is expected to cost a lot less than Harris on the open market.
Warren has yet to serve as a No. 1 running back in the first three years of his NFL career. But he has flashed his explosiveness while rushing for 1,674 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and six touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren runs through the Washington Commanders defense on Nov. 10, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The 26-year-old also battled through some injuries in 2024, but that only further supports his toughness and that he can be relied on to play a larger role.
It remains to be seen what the Steelers will decide, but it seems like Warren will be back in 2025 no matter what.
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